The Colonel Commandant

The Colonel Commandant

The Colonel Commandant

The Colonel Commandant of the RNZA

The origin of the office of Colonel Commandant is somewhat obscure. One possible explanation is that it dates back to the time when ‘men of standing’ raised, equipped and paid for regiments, and as the head of their regiment were termed Colonels. The French term of the time was ‘Colonel Proprietaire’.

This arrangement of ‘ownership’ was abolished long ago, however, the custom of a regiment having a Colonel (or Colonel Commandant) has been maintained. They may be regarded as the domestic heads of their regiment, in which they take a paternal interest.

More formally the modern-day duties and responsibilities of Colonels Commandant are to:

  • Foster esprit de corps in their regiment;
  • Promote community interest;
  • Advise headquarters and senior commanders concerning any regimental matter on which they may be consulted;
  • Advise unit commanders on regimental matters;
  • Advise on the application of private funds and other regimental matters, such as customs, battle honours, guidons, colours, banners, dress distinctions, memorials and histories;
  • Maintain close liaison with allied corps or regiments of Commonwealth of Nations armies;
  • Consult or advise on the administration of regimental charities;

  • Liaise between the regiment and the Captain-General, including the sending and receiving of customary messages; and,

  • Advise the Regimental Colonel on matters within his or her purview.

Within the RNZA we have only had Colonels Commandant since 1949. From 1949 to 1965 there was a Colonel Commandant for each of the three Military Districts, and from 1965 a Colonel Commandant for the Regiment as a whole. Officers who have held this appointment are:

Col Comdt RNZA NMD

Year Colonel Commandant
1960-1964 Lt Col CL Walter, DSO OBE ED
1956-1960 Brig RS Park, CB CBE
1949-1956 Lt Col HG Wilding, DSO ED

Col Comdt RNZA CMD

Year Colonel Commandant
1962-1964 Lt Col ET Kensington, OBE ED
1955-1957 Lt Col KW Fraser, OBE ED
1949-1955 Lt Col AHW Evenden, OBE ED

Col Comdt RNZA SMD

Year Colonel Commandant
1961-1965 Lt Col JFR Sprosen, DSO ED
1957-1961 Maj Gen GB Parkinson, CBE DSO & Bar
1949-1957 Col RC Wickens, DSO ED Col JG Jeffrey, MC VD

Colonels Commandant RNZA

Year Colonel Commandant
2020- Brig Paul Southwell
2017-2019 Lt Col Matt Beattie
2010-2017 Lt Col BD Dreyer
2004-2010 Brig GD Birch, MBE
1994-1998 Brig GA Hitchings, CBE
1999-2004 Brig RJ Andrews, CBE
1989-1994 Maj Gen RDP Hassett, CB CBE
1985-1989 Col DR Kenning, MBE
1981-1985 Brig EJ Valintine, OBE ED
1975-1981 Brig J Burns, DSO MBE
1970-1975 Brig SF Catchpole, CBE MC ED
1968-1970 Brig RC Queree, CBE,DSO
1965-1968 Lt Col CL Walter, DSO,OBE,ED